Now comes word that Minneapolis is in the running to host a major college football playoff game in the not-too-distant future.

Kristen Montag, a spokesperson for Meet Minneapolis, the city’s visitor and convention bureau, said an official representing the college Bowl Championship Series is planning a “site visit” to the city this weekend to meet with boosters and scope out the new Vikings stadium project.

“We are definitely bidding on trying to bring them here,” Montag said Friday. “This is something we weren’t able to pursue before. But because the stadium is coming on line, now we can and hopefully we can make it happen.”

Earlier this month the NFL announced that Minneapolis is one of three cities still in the mix to host the 2018 Super Bowl.

Montag said the earliest a major college football playoff game could be played in downtown Minneapolis would be 2017. The Vikings stadium, which will replace the Metrodome, is scheduled to open in time for the 2016 NFL season.

Rochelle Olson updates you on the opening of U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis.